'Confident' Sam Howell Named Commanders Starting QB

The Washington Commanders have officially named Sam Howell as the starting quarterback, and he is confident he can do the job.

Perhaps the worst-kept secret of the Washington Commanders' offseason was made official ... Sam Howell is the starting quarterback.

While there were repeated efforts to make it seem like a quarterback battle was taking place, as head coach Ron Rivera stated, "Don't sleep on Jacoby Brissett," but for most, we knew it was Howell's job to lose.

But how does he feel about being the starter heading into the season?

“Yeah, I mean, obviously, I'm always confident in my abilities just to come out here and perform and do well for this football team," Howell said. "I think just throughout camp every single day, I've gotten better and more comfortable, and I feel like I'm in a really good place right now with the offense. I feel really good going out there every single day, and I feel good about my chances to go out there and execute.”

Howell has shown his talents all throughout the offseason and in the Commanders 17-15 preseason win over the Cleveland Browns, Howell looked comfortable leading the offense.

Coming to terms with Eric Bieniemy's new scheme as well as taking on the pressure of potentially being the starter, is a big burden to carry, but Howell has done it with aplomb.

While many had a feeling that Howell was going to be QB1 this season, to get it rubber-stamped meant a lot to the second-year quarterback when Rivera told him and Brissett of the decision.

“He told both of us that he was going to announce it today," Howell said. "He just told me that he was excited for me and that he believes in me and that he trusts me. To hear those words come from him, it means a lot. He's a great guy, great coach. He's been around the game for a long time, so just to have his support and his confidence in me means a lot.”

It is surely a great moment for Howell, but as the saying goes, getting to the top is hard, but staying there is harder. Now that Howell is the leading man on offense, he has to stay there.

The Commanders have two more preseason games against the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals before their Week 1 clash against the Arizona Cardinals.

Howell will need to continue to improve and grow in Bieniemy's offense and take advantage of the weapons at his disposal.

While being named the starter is no doubt a highlight for Sam, he now has to show that he can carry the load for the season. 

Based on what we have seen and heard out of Commanders camp this offseason, there's no reason to doubt that Howell can take anything that is put on his plate.

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